Latin-Americans in Pro Football

Pro Football's Hispanic Heritage

Pioneers, Milestones and Firsts

By Mario LongoriaSpecial to Profootballhof.com

In 2000, Heidi Cadwell contacted the Pro Football Hall of Fame about donating her grandfather's NFL contract from 1927. Her call was of great interest to the Hall because at the time it was widely believed that Jesse Rodriguez, a fullback-punter with the 1929 Buffalo Bisons, was the first Hispanic player in NFL history.

Further research by the Hall of Fame and Hispanic historian Mario Longoria confirmed that, in fact, Ignacio "Lou" Molinet played in the NFL in 1927. Molinet, a native of Chaparra, Cuba, played nine games for the Frankford Yellowjackets that season.

1920-1931

The contract of Ignacio Molinet, the first Hispanic-American player in the NFL.
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